Three
months before Christmas 1983, Samir Bannout flexed his “decorated” lumbar
region in Munich, West Germany, for the IFBB Mr. Olympia judges. Since
then, the high definition found in a muscular lower back has been called a “Christmas
tree”. Known as the “Lion of
Lebanon” because of his birthplace (Beirut), Samir roared into America in 1974
and settled first in Detroit. In that city, he was crowned 1978 Mr.
Michigan. In 1979, he won the Best in the World event and the
light-heavyweight division of the IFBB World Amateur Champhips. The latter win
bequeathed him an IFBB pro card, and he made his debut (also in 1979) at the
Canada Pro Cup, by which time he had moved to Venice, California. Bannout’s
IFBB pro career spanned 53 contests; his 11 attempts at the IFBB Mr. Olympia are
a record among those who have won the title – as he did in 1983. His
last win was the 1990 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational, and the final sighting
of Samir in contest mode was at the 1996 IFBB Masters Olympia where he finished
in sixth place. His pro career had endured for 17 years. The Lion always
was and still is renowned as one of bodybuilding’s more entertaining
characters. His ability to mix quotes with poses never left the industry’s
writers disappointed. Today, Samir lives in Los Angeles with his wife and
two children and pursues several business interests, including the marketing of
a supplement company.
Three
months before Christmas 1983, Samir Bannout flexed his “decorated” lumbar
region in Munich, West Germany, for the IFBB Mr. Olympia judges. Since
then, the high definition found in a muscular lower back has been called a “Christmas
tree”. Known as the “Lion of
Lebanon” because of his birthplace (Beirut), Samir roared into America in 1974
and settled first in Detroit. In that city, he was crowned 1978 Mr.
Michigan. In 1979, he won the Best in the World event and the
light-heavyweight division of the IFBB World Amateur Champhips. The latter win
bequeathed him an IFBB pro card, and he made his debut (also in 1979) at the
Canada Pro Cup, by which time he had moved to Venice, California. Bannout’s
IFBB pro career spanned 53 contests; his 11 attempts at the IFBB Mr. Olympia are
a record among those who have won the title – as he did in 1983. His
last win was the 1990 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational, and the final sighting
of Samir in contest mode was at the 1996 IFBB Masters Olympia where he finished
in sixth place. His pro career had endured for 17 years. The Lion always
was and still is renowned as one of bodybuilding’s more entertaining
characters. His ability to mix quotes with poses never left the industry’s
writers disappointed. Today, Samir lives in Los Angeles with his wife and
two children and pursues several business interests, including the marketing of
a supplement company.
